KR102152664B1 - Transparent extended content label with optionally non-stick adhesive - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of making an extended content label from a prefabricated adhesive assembly is described. This method does not require peeling or re-lamination of the prefabricated adhesive assembly. The prefabricated adhesive assembly includes a transparent surface layer and an adhesive layer responsive to radiant energy. Extended content printing is applied to the front side of the surface layer. The mask is placed between the adhesive layer and the radiant energy source. Radiation energy not blocked by the mask reduces the adhesion of the irradiated area of the adhesive layer. The floodcoat is applied on the expanded content indicia, and the front indicia is applied on the floodcoat and is visually recognized through the surface layer and the adhesive layer on the back side of the surface layer.

Description

Transparent extended content label with optionally non-stick adhesive

(Cross reference of related applications)

This application claims the benefit of US Provisional Patent Application No. 62/298,146 filed on February 22, 2016, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates to a method of making an extended content adhesive label assembly. The method uses an adhesive assembly including a transparent surface layer, and does not require peeling and re-lamination of the assembly during manufacture.

Various applications and uses for extended/extended content labels are known. Extended Content Labels ("ECL") provide a simple and effective way to present increased print information on a product or its packaging without the need to increase the corresponding space on the product or packaging to attach the label.

A conventional ECL includes an opaque top panel that is fixed directly to the product or to a base panel mounted on the product. The top panel contains print information on its front side/outer side and a reduced adhesive area that can be detached from the product to reveal the back side/inner side of the top panel with extended content printing on it. do.

Conventional methods of making ECL use pre-made laminated adhesive articles. Typically, a pre-made laminated adhesive article comprises an opaque top panel, a release liner, and an adhesive layer laminating the top panel to the release liner. Because these top panels are opaque, in the conventional ECL manufacturing process, after peeling the top panel from the release liner to expose the back side of the top panel, the expanded content is printed on the back side of the top panel, and then the top panel is released. Re-lamination to the liner is required. Then, after re-lamination, front side printing is applied to the front side of the top panel.

A semi-continuous method in conventional ECL production is shown in, for example, FIG. 15, wherein the adhesive assembly web 720 prepared in advance is unwound from the unwind roller 730. Typically, an adhesive assembly includes an opaque (ie, opaque) top panel, a release liner, and an adhesive layer laminating the top panel to the release liner. The upper panel is opaque and printing on the back side is not visible through the front side of the upper panel. The adhesive assembly 720 passes through a release plate 750, where the release liner 760 is peeled from the combination 770 of the surface layer and the adhesive at 740. Subsequently, the surface layer and adhesive combination 770 enters the back side printing station 780, where the extended content printing is applied to the back side (i.e., the adhesive side) of the top panel, and also directly to the adhesive layer. The combination 770 then enters the varnish station 790, where a varnish is applied to the adhesive layer to cover the back side printing to attenuate or reduce the viscosity of the adhesive in that area. Subsequently, the printed surface layer and adhesive assembly 770 is re-laminated with the release liner 760 in the re-lamination station 800 to cover the adhesive layer. Although not specified, a typical manufacturing method may include supplying the assembly through a turn bar to turn the assembly upside down so that the surface layer faces downward so that the assembly is in the opposite direction. The entire assembly is then fed to the front side printing station 810, where the front side printing is applied to the front side of the surface layer. The relaminated and printed assembly 820 is then fed to a rewind roller 830 for later processing (eg, die cutting into individual labels) and application to a substrate.

When applied to a product, the release liner is removed to expose the adhesive layer and label the product. Due to the application of the varnish, the adhesion of the printed area on the back side is reduced, and the upper panel can be pulled from the product to reveal the extended content printing on the back side.

However, conventional ECL fabrication requires peeling and re-lamination, and the assembly has to pass through a turn bar, so it has limited line speed, which can lead to several other process difficulties. For example, the conventional ECL process requires separate peeling and re-lamination equipment, requiring additional expenditure and regular maintenance and repair. In addition, the method requires that the process equipment be of a specific configuration. For example, peel and relamination equipment should be in close proximity to the backside printing equipment used between peeling and relamination. In addition, conventional methods require a facility operator with more press experience to facilitate proper peeling and re-lamination of the adhesive assembly. In addition, this method requires special precautions to avoid contamination of the adhesive layer as the adhesive layer must be exposed to the external environment, and cleaning of any equipment that may come into contact with the exposed adhesive layer during manufacture is required. do. Another major problem arising from peeling and relamination is that the tension on the film must be carefully controlled to ensure that the finished product is completely relaminated to prevent curling in either the surface layer or the liner.

Accordingly, there is a need for a method of avoiding or at least reducing the likelihood of these various problems when processing extended content labels, laminations, and the like.

The difficulties and disadvantages associated with previously known practices and methods are addressed with the present article, adhesive composition, system, and method.

In contrast to prior art systems, the present invention includes an extended content label comprising a transparent (e.g., transparent) surface layer, wherein the extended content is applied to the front side rather than the back side of the surface layer as in the prior art. do. Since the surface layer is transparent, the expanded content is visually recognized from the back side of the surface layer through the transparent surface layer when the surface layer is peeled from the substrate to which the surface layer is attached. Therefore, the present invention has the advantage that it is not necessary to apply the extended content printing to the back side of the surface layer. In addition, the expanded content label includes an adhesive layer that can be selectively treated to change the level of viscosity so that the surface layer can be peeled off from the substrate. Thus, the present invention does not require peeling and re-lamination of the surface layer from the release liner to print the expanded content on the label, so the release liner remains covered with the adhesive layer during the entire label manufacturing process.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of making an extended content adhesive assembly having at least one reduced adhesive area. The method includes providing a laminated adhesive assembly comprising a surface layer defining a front side and an opposite-facing back side, a release liner, and an adhesive layer disposed between the back side of the surface layer and the release liner. The expanded content indicia is applied to the front side of the surface layer. A mask is applied to cover a portion of the adhesive layer. In one embodiment, the mask is applied to the front side of the surface layer. In yet another embodiment, the mask is applied to the release liner. The adhesive assembly is then irradiated with radiant energy, where the mask substantially blocks exposure of a portion of the adhesive layer to radiant energy. Radiation energy blocked by the mask is irradiated to a part of the adhesive layer to reduce the adhesion of the irradiated area of the adhesive layer. In one embodiment, the radiant energy passes through a surface layer that is substantially transparent to radiant energy. In yet another embodiment, the radiant energy passes through a release liner that is substantially transparent to the radiant energy. The indicia is visually recognized through an adhesive layer on the back side of the surface layer to define expanded content.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a method of providing extended content on a label. The method includes providing a laminated adhesive label comprising a transparent surface layer defining a front side and a back side and defining a front side and an opposite-facing back side. The front side of the surface layer faces the front side of the label. The adhesive assembly includes a radiation energy sensitive adhesive layer disposed on the back side of the surface layer. The adhesive is configured to reduce adhesion upon exposure to a sufficient amount of radiant energy. The adhesive assembly includes a release liner laminated on the back side of the surface layer by an adhesive. The method comprises the steps of applying indicia to the front side of the surface layer; Covering a portion of the adhesive layer with a mask; And irradiating the adhesive label with radiant energy. The mask provides an unirradiated area of the adhesive layer by substantially blocking radiant energy from reaching the unirradiated area. Radiation energy that is not substantially blocked by the mask exposes the irradiated area to a sufficient amount of radiant energy to reduce adhesion of the irradiated area, thereby providing an irradiated area of the adhesive layer. The indicia is applied on the irradiated area of the adhesive layer, and the indicia is visually recognized on the back side of the surface layer to provide expanded content on the label.

In yet another aspect, the present invention further provides a method of providing extended content on a substrate. The method includes providing a substrate and a laminated adhesive label defining a front side and a back side. The label includes a transparent surface layer, a release layer, and an adhesive layer for laminating the surface layer to the release layer. Upon sufficient exposure to the radiant energy, the adhesive becomes less viscous. The method further includes applying indicia to the surface layer, wherein the indicia is visually recognized through the surface layer to define the expanded content. The mask is applied to cover a portion of the adhesive layer, and radiated energy not blocked by the mask is irradiated to the adhesive by exposing radiant energy to the label to define an irradiation area of the adhesive layer in which adhesion is reduced. The release layer is removed from the label to expose the adhesive layer, and the label is adhered to the substrate by contacting the adhesive layer with the surface of the substrate. The reduced adhesion of the irradiated area of the adhesive layer is configured to cause a portion of the surface layer including the irradiated area to be removed from the substrate to expose the expanded content.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides an expanded content adhesive assembly configured to be attached to an associated substrate. The assembly includes a transparent surface layer defining a front side and an oppositely oriented back side, a release liner, and an adhesive layer disposed between the back side of the surface layer and the release liner. The adhesive layer comprises a region of reduced adhesion configured to form a removable bond with the associated substrate upon removal of the release liner, and a non-reduced adhesion configured to form a permanent bond with the associated substrate upon removal of the release liner. Includes the sex area. In addition, the assembly includes an indicia on the front surface of the surface layer, and the indicia is visually recognized through the surface layer on the back side of the surface layer to define expanded content. The assembly includes a floodcoat covering the expanded content. In one embodiment, the expanded content is at least partially opaque by the floodcoat when viewed from the front side. In another embodiment, the expanded content is not visible through the floodcoat when viewed from the front side. Upon bonding the adhesive layer to the associated substrate, a portion of the assembly comprising the reduced adhesive area is configured to peel from the associated substrate to reveal the expanded content. In one embodiment, the peeled portion of the assembly is configured to reattach to the associated substrate.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a labeled container comprising a container defining an outer surface, and a layered adhesive assembly disposed on and in contact with the outer surface of the container. The layered adhesive assembly includes a transparent surface layer, an adhesive layer, indicia and a floodcoat. The transparent surface layer defines a front side and a back side, and the front side of the surface layer faces the front side of the assembly. The adhesive layer is disposed on the back side of the surface layer and is configured to form a removable bond with the outer surface of the container, and a non-reduced adhesion configured to form a permanent bond with the outer surface of the container. Include area. The indicia is located on the front side of the surface layer, is recognized on the back side of the surface layer, and defines the expanded content on the label. The floodcoat covers indicia. In one embodiment, the expanded content is at least partially opaque by the floodcoat when viewed from the front side. In another embodiment, indicia is not visible through the floodcoat on the front side of the label when viewed from the front side. A portion of the assembly including the reduced adhesion area is configured to peel off from the associated substrate to reveal the expanded content.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a system for selectively reducing the adhesion of an adhesive in a prefabricated adhesive assembly to manufacture an extended content label. The system includes a prefabricated adhesive assembly and a radiant energy source. The prefabricated adhesive assembly is (i) at least substantially transparent, a surface layer comprising a front side and a back side, (ii) a release liner, and (iii) disposed between the surface layer and the release liner, and is applied to radiant energy. Upon sufficient exposure of the exposed adhesive, the exposed adhesive is an adhesive layer having a characteristic of decreasing adhesiveness, (iv) indicia on the front side of the surface layer visible through the surface layer from the back side of the surface layer, and (v) the adhesive And a mask positioned to cover at least a portion of the layer and defining at least one passage area allowing radiant energy to pass through the adhesive layer. The radiant energy source is configured to produce an extended content label by irradiating the adhesive layer through at least one passage area in the mask to reduce adhesion of at least a portion of the adhesive layer.

As can be appreciated, the invention described herein is capable of other and different embodiments, and some details of which may be modified in various aspects without departing from the invention of the claims. Accordingly, the following drawings and descriptions are illustrative and should be regarded as non-limiting.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a prefabricated adhesive assembly according to the present invention.
2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the prefabricated adhesive assembly of FIG. 1 to which a mask according to the present invention is applied.
3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the prefabricated adhesive assembly of FIG. 2 after exposure to radiant energy in accordance with the present invention.
4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the prefabricated adhesive assembly of FIG. 3 to which a floodcoat according to the present invention is applied.
5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of each expanded content label according to the present invention.
6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of each of the expanded content labels of FIG. 5 attached to a substrate according to the present invention.
7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of each of the expanded content labels of FIG. 6 pulled partially from a substrate according to the present invention.
8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment of each extended content label attached to a substrate according to the present invention.
9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of each of the expanded content labels of FIG. 8 pulled partially from the base layer to reveal the expanded content according to the present invention.
10 is a process schematic diagram illustrating a system and method according to the present invention.
11 is another process schematic diagram illustrating a system and method according to the present invention.
12 is another process schematic diagram illustrating a system and method according to the present invention.
13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another respective extended content label according to the present invention.
14 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another prefabricated adhesive assembly to which a mask is applied after exposure to radiant energy according to the present invention.
15 is a process schematic diagram illustrating a prior art system and method for manufacturing an extended content label.
16 is a schematic perspective view of a roller component according to the invention.

The present invention relates to a method of making an extended content label. The present invention does not require conventional peeling, re-lamination, or turnbar operations to apply extended content to pre-made adhesive assemblies or to reduce adhesion of the adhesive layer. Therefore, this method suppresses contamination of process equipment having an adhesive commonly used in the conventional ECL manufacturing process by not causing exposure of the adhesive layer to the external environment.

In some embodiments, the method generally comprises a prefabricated adhesive article comprising a surface layer, a release liner or “liner” layer at least partially transparent to radiant energy, and an adhesive layer disposed between the surface layer and the release liner. Including the step of using. The present invention provides an adhesive composition for forming an adhesive layer having a characteristic of reducing adhesion, as indicated by a decrease in peel strength value, usually when exposed to a specific form of radiant energy such as UV light. . Such adhesives will be referred to herein as "radiation energy sensitive adhesives", "sensitivity to radiant energy" or "UV photosensitivity" or other similar terms.

The method includes the step of applying indicia to the front side of the surface layer opposite to the adhesive layer, and thus requires peeling of the adhesive article to expose the back side (i.e., adhesive side) of the surface layer when applying the expanded content. Do not. In addition, the adhesive layer is selectively exposed to radiant energy through the transparent surface layer, thereby reducing the viscosity of the adhesive layer or a portion thereof. Thus, peeling of the adhesive assembly is not required by this method, and the release liner remains covered with the adhesive layer during the entire manufacturing process.

As used herein, "extended content indicia", "expanded content printing" or "expanded content" refers to indicia, printing, or, for example, the back surface of the surface layer by peeling from the substrate to which the surface layer is attached. It refers to another visual expression that is configured to be seen from the back side of the surface layer when the side is exposed. As used herein, “front side printing”, “front side indicia” or “front side content” means indicia, printing, or other visual representation that is configured to be viewed from the front side of the surface layer.

The pre-fabricated adhesive assembly 1 used in this method is shown in FIG. 1, for example, and includes a surface layer 10, a radiation energy sensitive adhesive layer 20 and a release liner 30. The surface layer 10 defines a surface facing opposite directions (i.e., the front side 11 and the rear side 12), and the adhesive assembly 1 is a surface facing the opposite direction (ie, the front side 2 and The back side (3)) is defined. The front side 11 of the surface layer 10 faces the front side 2 of the assembly 1, and the rear side 12 of the surface layer 10 faces the rear side 3 of the assembly 1. As shown, the adhesive layer 20 is in contact with the surface layer 10 and the release liner 30. However, the adhesive assembly and extended content label of the present invention may further include one or more additional layers or other components not shown in the drawings including one or more intervening layers in between and/or between the illustrated layers. Will make sense.

The method includes applying indicia to the front side of the surface layer, which indicia is configured to be visible from the back side of the transparent surface layer when pulled from the substrate to which the surface layer is attached to provide extended content to the label.

The method further includes placing a mask between the adhesive layer and the radiant energy source. The mask is substantially opaque to radiant energy. Subsequently, the adhesive layer is exposed to the radiant energy by transferring the radiant energy to the portion of the radiant energy-sensitive adhesive layer through the opening of the mask, thereby reducing the adhesion of the irradiated area of the adhesive layer. The unirradiated area of the adhesive layer covered with the mask substantially maintains the original level of adhesion.

It will be understood that layers other than the superficial layer of the adhesive assembly are transparent to radiant energy. In this regard, in order to reduce the adhesion of the adhesive layer, the layer through which the radiant energy passes (for example, the surface layer) must have at least a certain level of transparency with respect to the radiant energy. For materials or layers with relatively low transparency, more intense energy sources, longer exposure times, and/or slower line speeds, or combinations thereof, may be used. For example, if only 50% of the radiant energy has been transferred to the layer under review, the deficit can be compensated for by doubling the strength of the energy source, doubling the line speed, or a combination of these methods. . As used herein, the terms "transparent", "transparency" or similar terms refer to materials, media, layers, materials, etc. that are not completely opaque to the radiant energy used, and thus a portion of the radiant energy is Can pass. Usually, transparent materials appear transparent, and light rays transmitted through them are not significantly scattered. However, as used herein, “transparent” materials also include transmissive materials that are slightly hazy or less sharp, indicating that such materials transmit scattered light but are not completely opaque.

In the various articles and laminated adhesive assemblies of the present invention, if at least one layer (eg, a surface layer) is sufficiently transparent, the other layer (eg, a release liner, floodcoat) may optionally be substantially opaque. Various articles and adhesive assemblies of the present invention include (i) one or more layers of material that are sufficiently transparent to permit passage of the selected radiant energy, and (ii) one or more layers of radiant energy sensitive adhesives, more detailed herein. Is explained.

In a number of embodiments, as described in more detail herein, one or more layers, e.g., two layers, in a layered assembly disposed immediately adjacent to the adhesive layer or portion are for passage of radiant energy. At least partially transparent. For example, referring to the adhesive assembly 1 shown in FIG. 1, one or both of the surface layer 10 and the liner 30 have the layer(s) radiated energy through the respective layer(s). It is partially transparent so that it can be passed through. The degree of transmission of radiant energy is the degree to which the adhesion level of the adhesive is reduced. The mask may be applied before or after the extended content indicia is applied. In some embodiments, the expanded content can be applied in an amount that can substantially block radiant energy from being transferred to the adhesive layer. In these embodiments, a mask may be applied, and radiant energy may be irradiated to the assembly before the expanded content is applied to the assembly. In other embodiments, the expanded content need not substantially block radiant energy. In these embodiments, a mask may be applied, and radiant energy may be irradiated to the assembly before or after the expanded content is applied to the assembly.

In embodiments in which radiant energy is transmitted to the adhesive layer through the surface layer, after irradiation, a floodcoat is applied to the front side of the surface layer. The floodcoat is applied to cover or hide the expanded content indicia so that the expanded content is not visible from the front side of the label. Subsequently, the front side indicia is applied on the floodcoat to produce an expanded content label. The floodcoat can be applied with any coating weight or any number of layers to completely or partially cover the expanded content as desired.

The expanded content label exposes an adhesive layer, and the exposed adhesive layer can be applied to a substrate such as a product, package, container, or base panel by contacting the substrate. The non-irradiated area of the adhesive layer maintains the original adhesiveness to form a stronger adhesive bond with the substrate, while the irradiated area of the adhesive layer has reduced adhesiveness to form a weaker and removable bond with the substrate. Accordingly, the portion of the surface layer including the irradiated and reduced adhesive area of the adhesive layer can be pulled from the substrate to reveal the back side of the surface layer, so that expanded content can be seen. The portion of the surface layer including the non-irradiated region of the adhesive layer remains bonded to the substrate, and thus the entire surface layer acts as a form of hinge so as not to completely peel off from the substrate.

The adhesive assembly of the present invention may be prefabricated at a different place or time than the front and back printing operations, or may be manufactured simultaneously with the printing operation. In the present invention, "prefabricated" or "pre-made" adhesive assembly refers to an assembly in which the back side of the surface layer is not exposed because it is laminated or covered by another layer of the adhesive assembly, for example, a release liner. . Since it is covered, it is not configured to easily accommodate indicia by printing or the like without first peeling off the laminated surface layer from other layers. In accordance with the present invention, the prefabricated assembly comprises a surface layer laminated to a release liner by means of an adhesive layer, for example as shown in FIG. 1.

In addition, the present invention provides a variety of extended content labels, combinations of extended content labels affixed to a substrate, and systems, methods and process equipment for manufacturing extended content labels. In addition, other equipment, methods and applications are contemplated in accordance with the present invention. These and other aspects are described in more detail herein.

Surface layer

The present invention includes providing a prefabricated adhesive assembly comprising a surface layer, a release liner, and a radiation energy sensitive adhesive layer disposed between the surface layer and the release liner.

In some embodiments, the surface layer is transparent (e.g., transparent), and provides a platform to which the extended content indicia, mask, floodcoat, and front side indicia are applied to produce an extended content label. do. For example, the expanded content indicia may be applied directly to the front side of the surface layer. The surface layer and the expanded content indicia are configured such that the expanded content is visually recognized through a transparent surface layer on the back side of the surface layer. In addition, the adhesion of the adhesive layer is selectively reduced by transferring radiant energy through a transparent material (eg, a surface layer or a release liner) to a portion of the adhesive layer. Since the expanded content is not applied to the back side of the surface layer, and the adhesiveness of the adhesive layer is reduced by radiant energy, it does not require peeling of the prefabricated adhesive assembly to print the expanded content and manufacture the ECL. Does not.

In one embodiment, and referring to FIGS. 1 to 3 for example, the adhesive assembly 1 is at least partially transparent for the passage of radiant energy, and the expanded content is from the back side 12 to the surface layer ( It includes a transparent surface layer 10 so that it can be seen through 10). The radiant energy is directed from the front side 2 of the assembly 1 through the opening 41 of the mask 40 to the assembly 1. Subsequently, the radiant energy is at least partially transferred to the adhesive layer 20 through the transparent surface layer 10 and irradiated to the portion 22 of the adhesive layer that is not covered by the mask 40 to irradiate the irradiated area of the adhesive layer 20 ( 22) reduces the adhesion.

In this embodiment, the release liner 30 may be at least partially transparent or opaque to radiant energy. Further, even if the release liner is at least partially transparent to the radiant energy, the adhesion of the adhesive layer can be reduced with or without the use of a mask and the radiant energy is transferred through the release liner. In one aspect of this embodiment in which radiant energy is transferred through the surface layer to the adhesive layer, the release liner is substantially opaque (ie, opaque) to radiant energy.

The surface layer is not particularly limited by the present invention, and various materials may be used as transparent or substantially transparent materials. Non-limiting examples of light-transmitting polymeric film materials include, for example, cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose acetate propionate, cellulose triacetate, polyether sulfone, polymethyl methacrylate, polyurethane, polyester, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride. , Syndiotactic polystyrene, cyclic olefin copolymer, polyethylene naphthalate, and naphthalene dicarboxylic acid-based copolymers or blends. Optionally, the film may contain suitable mixtures or combinations of these materials. In a specific embodiment, a transparent surface film of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) is used. The surface layer may have a thickness of about 5 microns to about 100 microns or more, and optionally about 10 microns to 50 microns, or about 10 microns.

In an alternative embodiment, radiant energy is transferred to the adhesive layer through an at least partially transparent release liner for passage of radiant energy. In this embodiment, the mask is positioned on the back side of the adhesive assembly, and the radiant energy source is directed from the back side of the assembly to the adhesive assembly. The radiant energy is transmitted through the opening of the mask and through the transparent release liner and irradiated to a portion of the adhesive layer, resulting in a decrease in viscosity in the irradiated area of the adhesive layer. In this embodiment, the surface layer may be at least partially transparent or opaque to radiant energy. If the surface layer is at least partially transparent to radiant energy, the adhesion of the adhesive layer may be reduced by transferring radiant energy through both the release liner and the surface layer using a mask located on the front side of the assembly. Since the mask on the front side of the assembly may have the same design as the mask on the back side of the assembly, it blocks exposure of the same portion of the adhesive layer to radiant energy as is blocked by the mask on the back side of the assembly.

Adhesive layer

In accordance with the present invention, the prefabricated adhesive assembly is sensitive to radiant energy and includes an adhesive layer located on the back side of the surface layer. The adhesive layer may contact the surface layer, the release liner, or both. 1 to 3, the adhesive layer 20 is positioned between the surface layer 10 and the release liner 30. The adhesive layer is substantially transparent, and the expanded content indicia applied to the front side 11 of the surface layer 10 is visible through the adhesive layer 20 through the surface layer 10 from the rear side 12 of the surface layer 10 Can be.

The method attenuates the adhesion of the adhesive layer by using radiant energy such as UV light and/or electron beam (sometimes referred to as “e-beam”) so that the irradiated area of the adhesive layer exhibits reduced adhesion to the substrate. Reducing or at least partially reducing. In certain embodiments, the UV-sensitive adhesive layer is exposed to UV light for a certain period of time to reduce the adhesion of the adhesive. By doing so, the amount of peeling or separating force required to separate adjacent portions of the assembly, label, or other stack is reduced, providing easy peeling of a portion of the surface layer from the substrate to reveal the expanded content on the label. By transferring the radiant energy through either or both of the surface layer of the prefabricated adhesive assembly or the release liner, the adhesion in selected portions of the adhesive layer can be reduced.

In addition, the present invention provides certain adhesive compositions that are sensitive to radiant energy, in particular UV-sensitive adhesive compositions. The adhesive can use any functionalized polymer as described herein to provide a UV photosensitive pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA).

UV light sources include high-pressure, medium-pressure and low-pressure mercury lamps, optionally doped with additives to adjust the emission spectrum, and LEDs emit in the range of 200-400 nm. In addition, other UV light sources are also suitable. When describing the degree of exposure to radiant energy, the term “dose” may be used. "Dose" means the total amount of applied energy. For ultraviolet light, the unit is in the form of "energy per unit area", for example mJ/cm2 or kJ/m2. For electron beam curing, the dose is also a measure of the applied energy, but it is measured in terms of mass: J/kg, commonly referred to as “gray” abbreviated as Gy. In both cases, dose is an important parameter in many applications. Dose is a function of the intensity of the UV or e-beam source, the relative transparency of any interfering material, and the duration of exposure of the sample to the energy source. The higher the intensity, the higher the transparency, or the longer the exposure time, the higher the dose. In many applications, the adhesive travels past a fixed radiant energy source, so the speed of movement determines the time under the source. In these cases, a higher speed corresponds to a lower dose. If the dose is kept constant, the intensity of the energy source and the corresponding time need to apply the dose condition, but this is a minor effect on the total dose. Typically, the dose is applied to the whole by passing under a single energy source at once, or by a series of energy sources passing through with a total exposure time measured in seconds or fractional seconds. However, as long as the intensity during each exposure exceeds a certain threshold, in principle, the dose can be applied as multiple exposures separated by several minutes or hours.

The UV exposure dose can be measured using a dosimeter such as EIT LLC's UV Power Puck II. The sensor of the dosimeter should be covered with a sample, at least partially transparent, to accurately measure the UV dose substantially transmitted to the adhesive layer. When measured by this method, the preferred dose is at least 500 mJ/cm 2 in the UV wavelength range suitable for one or more photoinitiators. More preferably, it is at least 250 mJ/cm 2, and most preferably at least 150 mJ/cm 2.

1 to 3, since a portion 21 of the adhesive layer 20 is covered by a mask 40 that is substantially opaque to radiant energy, the portion 21 covered by the mask 40 is radiated. Not exposed to energy. Since the non-irradiated area 21 retains its original adhesion, the shape of a hinge for firmly adhering the surface layer to a substrate such as a base layer, package, container, or product (for example, by permanent adhesive bonding) Can be used as The opening 41 in the mask 40 irradiates the radiant energy to the other part 22 of the adhesive layer 20. The irradiation area 22 of the adhesive layer 20 has reduced adhesion to the substrate, and this pulls a part of the surface layer 10 including the irradiation area 22 from the substrate to the rear side 12 of the surface layer 10. ) Is visible, and the expanded content is visible through the transparent surface layer 10.

The irradiation area 22 of the adhesive layer 20 may correspond to a portion of the surface layer 10 including the expanded content indicia. In other words, the expanded content indicia is applied to the portion of the surface layer that may include the irradiation area 22 of the adhesive layer 20. In this way, the portion of the surface layer containing the expanded content indicia can be easily pulled out of the substrate to reveal the expanded content. The non-irradiated region of the adhesive layer can form a stronger bond with the substrate, for example, a permanent bond, making it difficult to completely remove the surface layer from the substrate.

In many embodiments, the adhesive composition in the adhesive layer is a UV-sensitive adhesive whose adhesion is reduced upon exposure to UV irradiation. The present invention includes adhesive compositions that reduce adhesion upon exposure to other forms of radiant energy such as electron beams.

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides an emulsion pressure sensitive adhesive composition having properties that can be selectively adjusted after drying and film formation. As described herein, typically this adjustment is done by exposure to radiation such as UV light or an electron beam. In many embodiments of the present invention, the reduction in adhesion is achieved by free radical polymerization that crosslinks the polymer. This has the effect of reducing the adhesion by increasing the gel content of the adhesive.

The adhesive composition generally includes emulsion particles. The polymer of the adhesive of the present invention is prepared by treating an emulsion polymer containing a carboxylic acid functional monomer with an ethylenically unsaturated monomer containing an epoxy group in the presence of a suitable catalyst.

Suitable emulsion polymers can be prepared through a number of different processes known in the art such as emulsion polymerization, multistage emulsion polymerization, mini-emulsion polymerization or dispersion of existing polymers into water.

The emulsion suitable for the present invention may have a particle size of 50 nm to 1,000 nm. In certain embodiments, the particle size is 75-700 nm. And, in another embodiment, the particle size is 200-500 nm.

Emulsions suitable for the present invention should exhibit pressure sensitive adhesive behavior at the intended use temperature prior to curing. The pressure sensitive adhesive is generally defined as a material that exhibits a permanent viscosity at the intended use temperature. The pressure sensitive adhesive is derived from the film formation of an elastomeric material that combines a high level of viscosity and the ability to quickly wet the applied surface. The pressure sensitive adhesive forms a fast bond from low to medium pressure as a result of its flow properties. In addition, the pressure sensitive adhesive exhibits sufficient cohesive force and elasticity so that it can be handled and removed from a smooth surface without leaving any residue.

Polymers suitable for the present invention may have a glass transition temperature that causes the behavior of the pressure sensitive adhesive at the intended application temperature. It is well known in the art, for example, to control the glass transition temperature by monomer selection and/or the proportion of monomers in the copolymer.

Carboxylic acid monomers suitable for the present invention include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, citraconic acid, acrylicoxypropionic acid, maleic acid, methacryloxyisopropyl acid phthalate, methacryloxyethyl acid phthalate, and acrylicoxyisopropyl acid phthalate. , And acryloxyethyl acid phthalate. Combinations of carboxylic acid monomers can be used. A suitable amount of carboxylic acid monomer is in the range of 1-20% based on the total monomer. In certain embodiments, the amount of carboxylic acid monomer is in the range of 2-12%. In certain embodiments, the amount of carboxylic acid monomer is in the range of 3-10%. In addition, monomers that can be converted to contain carboxylic acid groups such as an anhydride monomer such as maleic anhydride or an easily hydrolyzable ester containing a monomer such as methylacrylate are contemplated.

Ethylenically unsaturated monomers containing an epoxy group suitable for the present invention include glycidyl methacrylate, glycidyl acrylate, acrylic epoxidized soybean oil, allyl glycidyl ether and 3,4-epoxycyclohexyl methyl methacrylate. do. Combinations of epoxy functional monomers can be used. Suitable amounts are in the range of 0.05 to 1 equivalent of epoxy for each equivalent of carboxylic acid monomer. In certain embodiments, the amount of epoxy functional monomer is 0.1 to 0.8 equivalents. In another embodiment, the amount of the epoxy functional monomer is 0.2 to 0.7 equivalents.

Suitable catalysts include tetrabutyl ammonium hydroxide, methyl tributyl ammonium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, tetrabutyl ammonium chloride, methyltributyl ammonium chloride, triphenyl phosphine, and chromium acetate. Other catalysts suitable for reacting epoxies and carboxylic acids may further be used, and combinations of catalysts may be used.

It may be desirable to add inhibitors to prevent polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated epoxy functional monomers or premature curing of the resulting functionalized latex. Suitable inhibitors include hydroquinone, methoxyhydroquinone, butylated hydroxy toluene, phenothiazine, TEMPO and 4-hydroxy TEMPO (also known as "4HT"). Combinations of inhibitors can be used. Suitable inhibitor levels are 10-3,000 ppm. In certain embodiments, the concentration of the inhibitor is 20-2,000. In certain embodiments, the concentration of inhibitor is 50-1,000 ppm.

The polymers of the present invention can be cured by free radical polymerization using methods known to those skilled in the art. Suitable methods include heating in the presence of a thermal free radical initiator, exposure to electromagnetic radiation such as ultraviolet rays, or exposure to electron beams or gamma radiation in the presence of a photoinitiator. In certain embodiments, the polymer is cured by exposure to ultraviolet or electron beams.

Suitable photoinitiators for use in the present invention include benzophenone and benzophenone derivatives, thioxanthone and thioxanthone derivatives such as isopropyl thioxanthone and chlorothioxanthone, 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyldiphenylphosphine oxide And aryl phosphine oxides such as phenyl bis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)-phosphine oxide, benzoin and benzoin derivatives, benzyl ketals such as Irgacure 651, acetophenones such as Irgacure 184 and Irgacure 369, and And acetophenone derivatives.

In certain applications, it may be desirable to use a "polymerizable" photoinitiator with a sufficiently high molecular weight to minimize any substances that are extracted into food, for example. Suitable polymeric photoinitiators include Esacure One from Lamberti, Genopol TX-1, Genopol AB-2, Genopol BP-2 from Rahn, and Omnipol BP, Omnipol SZ, and Omnipol TX from IGM Resin.

In addition, other photoinitiators known to those skilled in the art are also suitable. It is also contemplated to use mixtures of photoinitiators.

While the present invention has been described in the context of an emulsion pressure sensitive adhesive, it is contemplated that hot melt pressure sensitive adhesives having suitable curing properties for certain applications may be used. It is also contemplated that a solution polymer, ie a pressure-sensitive adhesive based on a solution polymer pressure-sensitive adhesive, can be used according to the invention.

For certain applications, it is necessary or at least desirable to protect the system, article and/or adhesive composition from ambient UV light, such as sunlight. However, the intensity of the surrounding UV is much lower than that commonly used in UV processes. Two factors protect against the inadvertent decrease in viscosity due to this weak exposure. One factor is that oxygen inhibits the chemical reaction of decreasing viscosity. The atmosphere contains sufficient oxygen to suppress the decrease in adhesion until a certain limiting light intensity is reached. In practice, the threshold for adhesion reduction depends on many factors, but sunlight is much lower than the threshold. Another factor relates to the use of free radical stabilizers that can be added to formulations that provide additional protection from low levels of UV exposure. A number of such stabilizers are known in the art. An example of this is 4-hydroxy TEMPO ("4HT") used at 200-2,000 ppm.

According to the invention, the decrease in adhesion can be specified for adhesion prior to exposure to radiant energy. The present invention includes a reduction in adhesion of 1% to 99%. For many applications, suitable adhesion reduction is greater than 30%. Usually, the rate of decrease in adhesion is greater than 50%. In certain embodiments, the reduction in adhesion is greater than 75%. In certain embodiments, the reduction in adhesion is greater than 90%. All of these rates of decrease in adhesion are related to the initial adhesion of the target adhesive before exposure to radiant energy. The minimal decrease in adhesion is related to the particular application, the strength of the facestock used, and the initial adhesion of the adhesive. Adhesion can be quantified using a number of different tests or processes. A common method is the "Test Methods for Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Tapes" of the Pressure Sensitive Tape Council, the PSTC-101 method of the 15th edition. Typically, this method is referred to by those skilled in the art as “Peel Adhesion”.

The present invention includes exposing the adhesive to radiant energy prior to label application, upon label application, after label application, or any combination thereof. For example, a label with an adhesive capable of reducing or attenuating adhesion upon exposure to a sufficient amount of radiant energy as described herein can be applied to a substrate. After application, peeling a portion of the label from the substrate to reveal the expanded content can be facilitated by exposing the adhesive to radiant energy. This exposure can direct radiant energy through the surface layer and/or release liner along the interface between the label and the substrate, and/or through the labeled substrate (e.g., a transparent bottle), i.e. the back side of the label. This can be done by directing the radiant energy towards.

Alternatively, conventional adhesives can be used to define a portion of the adhesive layer used as a hinge of the surface layer by forming a permanent bond with the substrate, where the conventional adhesive does not lose its viscosity upon exposure to radiant energy. So you don't need a mask to cover it.

It will be appreciated that the present invention encompasses various configurations of ECLs having one or more portions or regions of reduced adhesion, and does not in any way limit the particular embodiments described herein and shown in the drawings and the like. In addition, in many embodiments, the area(s) or layer(s) in which the adhesion is varied are located inside the prefabricated adhesive assembly and are thus defined by other layers, such as a surface layer and a liner. However, the present invention further includes selectively reducing the adhesion of the adhesive region(s) or region(s) exposed without being covered by one or more opaque layers. Further, the present invention further includes selectively reducing the adhesion of the edge region of the adhesive layer.

Release liner

According to a particular embodiment, and referring to FIGS. 1-3, the prefabricated adhesive article 1 comprises a release liner 30 covering the adhesive layer 20. The release liner may have a treatment material in contact with the adhesive layer, a coating or positioned therebetween. Usually, during and after the manufacture of the expanded content label, including the application of the expanded content indicia on the front side 11 of the surface layer 10, the release liner remains covered with the adhesive layer. While not required, in the manufacture of an extended content label, the release liner can be selectively removed. Before the expanded content label is applied to the substrate, the release liner is removed from the expanded content label to expose the adhesive layer.

Release liners are used to prevent premature exposure of the adhesive layer to the surrounding environment by protecting the adhesive from contamination from exposure to dust, liquids or other elements. Inadvertent contact or exposure to environmental factors can contaminate the adhesive layer, which is undesirable and can prevent desired adhesion to various substrates. In addition, the release liner protects the adhesive from coming into contact with the processing equipment, thereby suppressing contamination of the adhesive to the equipment.

In addition, the release liner allows more aggressive handling of the adhesive assembly and label prior to application to the substrate. For example, release liners provide protection of assembly and labels during printing, converting, packaging, handling, or transportation. Handling of the assembly or label involves transferring the assembly or label by converting equipment such as rollers, printing on labels, die cutting individual labels from rolls, packaging labels, and other manufacturing processes. Can include. The release liner provides rigidity to the adhesive assembly to facilitate these steps. The release liner may cover all or part of the adhesive layer.

Typical liner materials suitable for use are, for example, super calender kraft paper, glassine, clay coat kraft paper, machine finish kraft paper, roll paper, biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate film, polypropylene film, polyethylene film, biaxially oriented Polypropylene film, polyester, acrylic, nylon, cellulose derivative, butylene; Isobutylene; High, medium, low and linear low density polyethylene; Ethylene vinyl acetate; Ethylene acrylic acid; Ethylene methyl (meth)acrylate; Ethylene butyl acrylate; Polypropylene; Ethylene/propylene copolymer; And impact resistant ethylene/propylene copolymers and combinations thereof.

The release liner may use a silicone-containing and/or fluorine-containing material as a release agent. The silicon-containing and/or fluorine-containing components of the release liner may contact the adhesive layer. The silicon-containing and/or fluorine-containing material easily separates the release liner from the adhesive when the extended content label is applied to the substrate. Since the silicon-containing and/or fluorine-containing material does not strongly adhere to the adhesive, it protects the contamination of the adhesive layer and provides a releasable interface with the underlying adhesive.

The release liner can have a thickness of about 5 microns to about 100 microns or more, and optionally about 10 to 50 microns, or about 10 microns.

As described herein, in some embodiments, the mask is positioned on the front side of the adhesive assembly, and radiant energy is directed to the adhesive layer through the substantially transparent surface layer. In these embodiments, the release liner is substantially opaque to radiant energy, for example substantially opaque. Non-limiting examples of substantially opaque materials used as release liners are paper, polymer films, cavitation films such as cavitation BOPP, metal coatings and foils, and paper with dispersed fillers, inks, paints, or pigments or Includes a polymer film.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 14, the release liner 30 may be substantially transparent to radiant energy, wherein the mask 40 is located on the back side 3 of the adhesive assembly 1 and , Radiation energy is directed to the adhesive layer 20 through the release liner 30 through the opening 41 of the mask 40, thereby defining the irradiated area 22 and the non-irradiated area 21 of the adhesive layer 20 do. In this embodiment, the release liner may be substantially transparent to radiant energy to irradiate a portion of the adhesive layer with radiant energy.

In embodiments where the release liner is substantially transparent to radiant energy, non-limiting examples of light-transmitting polymeric film materials include cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose acetate propionate, cellulose triacetate, polyether sulfone, polymethyl methacrylate, Polyurethane, polyester, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, syndiotactic polystyrene, cyclic olefin copolymer, polyethylene naphthalate, and naphthalene dicarboxylic acid-based copolymers or mixtures.

Extended content printing

In various embodiments, the indicia is applied to the front side of the surface layer and is configured to be visible through the transparent/transparent surface layer on the back side of the surface layer to define extended content on the label. The expanded content indicia may include letters, numbers, shapes, designs, images and other visual representations, or combinations or parts thereof. The expanded content indicia may include any number of colors or combinations of colors. The expanded content indicia can have egg shell, sheen, shea, satin, irridescent, shimmer, reflection and holographic effects, or other effects, and combinations thereof. The expanded content indicia may be substantially flat, raised, or three-dimensional.

1 to 3, the expanded content indicia is applied to the front side 11 of the surface layer 10. For clarity, the extended content indicia is not shown in the accompanying drawings. However, it will be understood that the expanded content indicia in FIGS. 1 to 3 is included in the front side 11 of the table 10. The expanded content indicia may be in contact with or spaced apart from the front side 11 of the surface layer 10. The surface layer 10 and the adhesive layer 20 are substantially transparent, and when the back side of the surface layer is exposed, for example, when the release liner is peeled from the adhesive layer, or when the surface layer is peeled from the substrate to which the surface layer is attached, The expanded content indicia is visually recognized on the back side 12 of the surface layer 10.

In one embodiment, the expanded content indicia comprises reverse printing, the indicia orientation and reverse of the indicia when viewed from the intended viewing position on the back side 12 of the surface layer 10 It is applied to the front side 11 of the surface layer 10 in the same orientation. More specifically, the image formed by the indicia when viewed from the front side of the surface layer is expanded content and is reversed from the intended image when viewed from the back side 12 of the surface layer 10. For example, the expanded content indicia may be represented by words in which letters are regularly printed when viewed from the back side of the surface layer, including letters printed in reverse or opposite directions.

In some embodiments, the expanded content indicia substantially blocks radiant energy from reaching the adhesive layer. In these embodiments, the adhesive layer can be irradiated before the expanded content is applied to the assembly. In another embodiment, the expanded content indicia does not substantially block radiant energy from reaching the adhesive layer. Therefore, the radiant energy passing through the opening of the mask is not substantially blocked by the expanded content indicia, but instead irradiated to a portion of the adhesive layer under the expanded content indicia to reduce the viscosity of the irradiated area of the adhesive layer. do. In one embodiment, the extended content indicia is substantially opaque to radiant energy, but this small indicia on the front side of the surface layer does not substantially block the extended content indicia from reaching the underlying adhesive layer. Cover the part. In another aspect, the expanded content indicia is substantially transparent to radiant energy such that it does not substantially block radiant energy from reaching the adhesive layer.

In another embodiment, the expanded content indicia is applied to the back side of the surface layer before the adhesive assembly is prefabricated.

The material used to form the expanded content indicia is not particularly limited by the present invention, and as a non-limiting example, the surface layer by flexographic, rotogravure, screen printing, spraying, brushing, offset, or digital printing method Pigments, dyes, inks, paints, or other colorants that can be applied to one or both sides of the can be included.

Mask

In various embodiments, a mask is positioned between the adhesive article and the radiant energy source. Depending on the location of the radiant energy source and the type of layer of the adhesive assembly that is transparent to the radiant energy, the mask can be applied on the surface layer, on the release liner, or in a fixed position relative to the radiant energy source, or a combination thereof. The mask may take any shape so that the irradiated area of the adhesive layer is manufactured in a desired size and shape. As such, the mask may be patterned or random, semi-continuous or discontinuous, or any other shape as desired.

The mask is used to at least partially block or substantially block the radiation energy from reaching a specific portion of the adhesive layer. To achieve this, the mask is at least partially opaque or substantially so, and can be of any color including, for example, white or black. In one embodiment, the mask is substantially opaque to radiant energy.

In areas where the adhesion is not intended to be changed, the mask is configured to keep exposure from UV light or other radiant energy below a threshold for a decrease in adhesion. Radiant energy not blocked by the mask is irradiated to a level above the threshold for a decrease in adhesion to a portion of the adhesive layer through the surface layer or other transparent layer (eg, a release liner) through the opening of the mask. According to the present invention, the mask may be positioned between the radiation energy source and the adhesive layer, applied to the surface layer, the release liner, or applied spaced apart from the adhesive assembly.

In one embodiment, and referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the mask 40 is applied on the surface layer 10. As shown, the mask 40 is applied to the front side 11 of the surface layer 10 to define at least one opening 41 through which radiant energy can be transferred to the adhesive layer 20. In another embodiment, and referring to FIG. 14, the mask 40 is applied on the release liner 30. As shown, a mask 40 is applied to the back side 3 of the assembly 1 to define at least one opening 41 through which radiant energy can be transferred to the adhesive layer 20.

In yet another embodiment, the mask comprises a substantially continuous layer with no openings and comprises higher and lower transparent region(s) for radiant energy. As such, higher transparent areas allow more radiant energy to reach the underlying adhesive layer to reduce the adhesion of that portion of the adhesive layer, while lower transparent areas transmit radiant energy to the adhesive layer. Can be suppressed or completely blocked.

As can be appreciated, in many applications, it is desirable to position the mask relatively close to the adhesive assembly and in certain embodiments close to the adhesive assembly to reduce parallax errors. In certain embodiments of the invention, the mask is in contact with the adhesive assembly.

The material used to form the mask is not particularly limited by the present invention, and may include, for example, a liquid material such as ink and paint, or a solid material such as paper, polymer film, and metal foil, which reduces adhesion. The radiation energy is sufficiently blocked so that it is lower than the threshold value for. According to the present invention, the mask is a flexographic UV curable ink, a flexographic aqueous ink, a flexographic solvent-based ink, an ink used for screen printing, an ink used for digital printing (ie, inkjet or laserjet), and the It can be formed using a combination, or any other type of ink, paint or coating. The coat weight of the mask depends on the level of transparency/opacity to the radiant energy of the material used to form the mask. The mask is applied with a coat weight sufficient to block the radiant energy such that the radiant energy is at a level below the threshold for reduced adhesion. When using ink to form a mask, the coat weight may vary depending on the pigment rod and ink density. The mask and floodcoat may comprise the same material.

The mask may be applied directly to the adhesive article (eg, FIGS. 2 to 9, 13 and 14), or may be fixed to the radiant energy source at regular intervals from the adhesive article (eg, FIG. 12 ).

In some embodiments, the mask is positioned on the front side of the adhesive assembly between the radiant energy source and the adhesive layer. In these embodiments, the radiant energy is passed to the front side of the surface layer that is at least partially transparent to the radiant energy. The mask blocks some of the radiant energy from reaching the adhesive layer. The openings in the mask allow a portion of the radiant energy to be transmitted through the surface layer and irradiate a portion of the underlying adhesive layer. In one aspect, the mask is applied directly to the front side of the surface layer. In yet another aspect, the mask is spaced from the front side of the surface layer such that, for example, one or more intervening layers are positioned therebetween, or the mask is not in contact with the adhesive assembly. In another aspect, the mask is positioned between the surface layer and the adhesive layer.

In another embodiment, the mask is positioned on the back side of the adhesive assembly between the radiant energy source and the adhesive layer. In these embodiments, the radiant energy source is located on the back side of the adhesive assembly and directed to a release liner that is at least partially transparent to the radiant energy. The mask blocks some of the radiant energy from reaching the adhesive layer. The opening of the mask allows a portion of the radiant energy to be transferred through the release liner and irradiated to a portion of the adhesive layer. In one aspect, the mask is applied directly to the release liner. In yet another aspect, the mask is spaced apart from the release liner. In another aspect, the mask is positioned between the release liner and the adhesive layer.

In some embodiments, the mask is irradiated with radiant energy to reduce the adhesion of the portion of the adhesive layer underneath the extended content printing. In one aspect, the mask is applied to the surface layer but does not cover the extended content printing. Subsequently, the portion of the surface layer comprising the modified adhesive and the expanded content can be easily pulled out of the attached substrate to expose the back side of the surface layer to view the expanded content.

In yet another embodiment, the mask may at least partially cover the extended content printing. This can be advantageous if the covered portion of the expanded content is intended to be visible through a transparent substrate such as a transparent bottle.

In addition, the mask includes an internal radiant energy source, and has a shape of a cylinder defining one or more openings along an outer circumferential surface, so that radiant energy may be allowed or permitted to pass from the energy source to the outside of the cylinder. This can be advantageous when processing extended content labels in a continuous or semi-continuous manner as described herein. The cylinder defines an outer peripheral surface in contact with the adhesive assembly. Upon contact with the adhesive assembly, radiant energy from the source may pass through the adhesive assembly via selected regions of the roller to reach specific regions of the adhesive within the adhesive assembly. It will be appreciated that the present invention encompasses various patterns, shapes, arrangements and/or structures for openings. Thus, the openings of the present invention are not limited to a specific pattern. In certain aspects of the invention, and when using a cylinder or similar component, it is desirable to provide a drive control or other control supply device such that the outer surface of the cylinder rotates in a register control with repeated extended content on the adhesive assembly. can do. In addition, insertion controls known in the art can be used. Typically, the embodiments described herein do not require focusing or magnification of the irradiated radiant energy, but a focusing and/or magnifying device is included in the present invention. The diameter of the roll can be selected to match a particular print or die size, or the number of repetitions of the label.

Flood coat

In various embodiments, the floodcoat is applied on the extended content indicia. A floodcoat is included to hide the expanded content indicia from the front side of the label. By hiding the expanded content indicia in this way, the expanded content can be viewed from the front side of the label by applying the indicia on the front side on the floodcoat without being seen from the front side of the label.

The floodcoat may be at least partially opaque or substantially so, and may be of any color including, for example, white or black. In one embodiment, the floodcoat is substantially opaque to hide the expanded content and provides a substantially white background to which the front side indicia can be applied.

The material used to form the floodcoat is not particularly limited by the present invention, and for example, a liquid material such as ink and paint, or a solid material such as paper, polymer film, and metal foil is formed. It may contain the same material used to do so. In one embodiment, the floodcode is formed using a UV curable ink, a flexographic aqueous ink, a flexographic solvent based ink, or a combination thereof. The coat weight of the floodcoat depends on the transparency/opacity of the material used to form the floodcoat and how well the expanded content visible from the front side of the label is obscured. When using ink to form a floodcoat, the coat weight may vary depending on the pigment rod and the density of the ink. In one embodiment, the mask and floodcoat are formed of the same material.

In one embodiment, and referring to FIG. 4, the floodcoat 50 is applied to cover the surface layer 10 and the mask 40. In another embodiment, the floodcoat is applied so as to cover the surface layer and not the mask. The floodcoat may be applied directly to the surface layer and/or the mask, for example as shown in FIG. 4, or may be spaced apart, such as when an intervening layer is located between the floodcoat and the surface layer.

In some embodiments, when viewed from the front side of the adhesive assembly, the floodcoat completely conceals the expanded content indicia. For example, the floodcoat may be substantially opaque to completely cover the expanded content indicia.

In another embodiment, when viewed from the front side of the adhesive assembly, the floodcoat may only partially conceal the expanded content indicia. For example, the floodcoat may completely cover the expanded content indicia, but is not completely opaque, and thus, when viewed from the front side of the assembly, the expanded content indicia may be partially visible through the floodcoat. Alternatively, the floodcoat may not cover all of the expanded content indicia, so that the uncovered expanded content indicia can be seen from the front side of the assembly.

Front side printing

In various embodiments, the indicia is applied on the floodcoat and is visible on the front side of the assembly or label to define a front side indicia. The front side indicia may include letters, numbers, shapes, designs, images and other visual representations, or combinations or portions thereof. The front side indicia may include any number of colors or combinations of colors. The front side indicia may have eggshell, sheen, shea, satin, irridescent, shimmer, reflective and holographic effects, or a combination thereof. The anterior indicia may be substantially flat, raised, or three-dimensional.

In embodiments in which the extended content indicia can be at least partially visible on the front side of the label, the front side indicia may be registered in the extended content indicia to provide a cohesive layered design, composition, or message. I can.

The material used to form the front side indicia is not particularly limited by the present invention, and may be applied by flexographic, rotogravure, screen printing, spraying, brushing, offset, or digital printing methods as non-limiting examples. Pigments, dyes, inks, paints, or other colorants.

Any other layer

Assemblies and labels of the present invention may include other layers or treatments for a particular intended use, and may include printing receiving layers or treatments, hydrophobic layers or treatments, additional film layers, and the like. Examples include priming, printing, hydrophobic treatment, and the like. Other additional layers (e.g., the base layer of the extended content label), coating, or treatment agent may be included in the label as desired, or disposed between or around layers, printing, indicia and coatings described herein. .

For example, a visual display device may be included in the layered assembly or otherwise integrated to indicate an inactive portion or area (ie, reduced adhesion) of the adhesive layer. For example, a color indicator can be used to indicate the portion or area of the adhesive layer that is deactivated or to be deactivated. One or more color indicators may be in the form of pigments, dyes, inks, etc. that provide a visual indication. The color indicator may be incorporated into a specific layer, portion or component of the adhesive assembly or label. Alternatively, or additionally, one or more color indicators may be applied or otherwise deposited on selected areas or portions of the adhesive assembly or label. It will be understood that the present invention is not limited to color indicators as described. Instead, the invention includes any suitable means for indicating an inactive portion or area.

Way

The present invention includes various methods of manufacturing an expanded content label from a pre-manufactured adhesive assembly, and related methods of using the expanded content label. The method includes the use of a pre-made adhesive article comprising a substantially transparent surface layer and a radiant energy sensitive adhesive layer. The method includes selectively reducing the adhesion of one or more portions of the adhesive, particularly the portion(s) of the adhesive layer in the adhesive assembly. In certain embodiments, the method of the present invention uses a mask such that radiant energy is selectively irradiated to one or more regions of the adhesive layer, or at least facilitates the formation of reduced adhesive regions. A flood coat is applied on the expanded content indicia, and a front side indicia is applied on the floodcoat.

As described herein, conventional methods for making expanded content labels require peeling of the opaque surface layer from the release liner. This peeling exposes the back side of the surface layer to apply the expanded content indicia. Conventional methods require peeling and re-lamination and are not preferred. In contrast, the method of the present invention does not require peeling to provide expanded content to the adhesive assembly, and thus no separate equipment for peeling and relamination.

1-5, 10-12, and 14 schematically illustrate a method and system for manufacturing an expanded content label made from a prefabricated adhesive assembly, and a method of use.

One method of manufacturing an expanded content label is schematically illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 and includes providing a prefabricated adhesive assembly 1. As shown, the adhesive assembly 1 includes a surface layer 10, a release liner 30, and an adhesive layer 20 for laminating the surface layer to the release liner. The adhesive assembly 1 defines a front side 2 and a rear side 3 facing the opposite direction. The surface layer 10 faces the front side 2 of the adhesive assembly 1, while the release liner 30 faces the back side 3 of the adhesive assembly 1.

The surface layer 10 defines a front side 11 and a rear side 12 facing in the opposite direction. The front side 11 faces the front side 2 of the adhesive assembly 1, while the back side 12 faces the back side 3 of the adhesive assembly 1. The front side 11 of the surface layer 10 may define the front side 2 of the adhesive assembly 1. The laminated adhesive assembly 1 may be manufactured before the printing operation at a time and/or position different from that of printing on the adhesive assembly, or may be manufactured at the printing position at the same time as the printing process.

The method further includes positioning the mask to cover the adhesive article. In one embodiment as shown in FIGS. 2-5, a mask is applied to the front side 11 of the surface layer 10 to define the masked portion and opening 41 in the mask 40. As can be understood, the portion of the front side 11 of the surface layer 10 that is not covered by the mask 40 is an opening that allows radiant energy to pass through the surface layer 10 to the underlying adhesive layer 20 Can be defined.

Radiant energy is irradiated to the adhesive assembly 1 such that the radiant energy passes through the opening 41 of the mask 40 and irradiates the portion 22 of the adhesive layer 20. The radiant energy source is located on the front side 2 of the adhesive assembly 1 to allow the mask 40 to block a portion of the radiant energy from reaching the adhesive layer 20. Radiation energy not blocked by the mask passes through the transparent surface layer 10 and is irradiated to the portion 22 of the adhesive layer 20. As described herein, the adhesiveness of the irradiated area 22 of the adhesive layer 20 is reduced compared to the adhesiveness of the adhesive layer 20 before irradiation. Additionally, the non-irradiated region 21 of the adhesive layer 20 substantially maintains adhesiveness compared to the viscosity of the adhesive layer 20 before irradiation. The irradiation area 22 of the adhesive layer 20 may have reduced or completely attenuated adhesion. The mask 40 is configured to substantially block radiant energy from reducing the adhesion of the non-irradiated regions 22 of the adhesive layer.

2 to 5, the mask 40 is shown to be applied directly to the surface layer 10, but in other embodiments it may be applied to a different area of the adhesive assembly 1 or separated from the adhesive assembly 1 It will be understood that it can be. Even in the case where the mask is an embodiment applied other than the front side of the surface layer, the mask will block radiant energy from reaching the portion of the adhesive layer intended to maintain the original adhesiveness. In certain embodiments, the release liner is transparent and the mask is applied to the back side of the adhesive assembly, for example the release liner. The radiation energy is irradiated to the adhesive layer from the rear side of the adhesive assembly through the opening of the mask to form an irradiated region and a non-irradiated region of the adhesive layer. This is shown for example in FIG. 14 where a mask 40 is applied to a release liner 30 to define a masked portion and opening 41 in the mask 40. As can be appreciated, the portion of the release liner 30 that is not covered by the mask 40 may define an opening 41 through which the radiation energy passes through the release liner 30 to the adhesive layer 20. have.

In an alternative embodiment, the mask 40 can be spaced apart from the adhesive assembly 1, where the mask is not applied directly to the adhesive assembly but keeps a distance from the adhesive assembly. In this embodiment, the mask can be placed on the front side 2 or back side 3 of the adhesive assembly as long as the corresponding adjacent superficial layer 10 or release liner 30 is at least partially transparent to radiant energy. have. This configuration is shown, for example, in Fig. 12, which is described in more detail herein. The mask can be constructed in any desired manner. For example, the mask may constitute a frame, line, various shapes, or any desired kind of pattern.

In some embodiments, the method includes applying a floodcoat to cover the expanded content indicia so that it is not visible from the front side 2 of the assembly. This is illustrated for example in FIG. 4, where a floodcoat 50 is applied to the front side 11 of the surface layer 10. As shown, the flood coat 50 covers the front side 11 and the mask 40 of the surface layer 10. In one embodiment, the floodcoat does not cover the mask.

In some embodiments, the floodcoat is substantially opaque to substantially prevent the expanded content indicia from being visible on the front side 2 of the adhesive assembly 1. As such, the expanded content indicia can be visually recognized only from the rear side 12 of the surface layer 10 when the surface layer 10 is peeled from the release liner 30 or the substrate to which it is attached. The floodcoat may include the same composition as the mask 40 and thus may be applied only on the opening 41 of the mask 40. In this embodiment, the floodcoat and mask together provide an opaque layer to which front side printing can be applied.

In some embodiments, the method includes applying the front side indicia onto the floodcoat so that the front side indicia can be seen or visible on the front side 2 of the adhesive assembly 1. As can be appreciated, the front side indicia is recognized when the extended content label is applied to the substrate, while the back side indicia or the extended content indicia is not visible on the front side 2 of the adhesive assembly.

The adhesive assembly comprising the mask 40, the adhesive layer 20 with the area of reduced adhesion 22, the expanded content indicia, the floodcoat 50, and the front side indicia together are expanded according to the invention. Defined content label (4). As can be appreciated, other or different layers may be included in the expanded content label 4 as desired.

In some embodiments, extended content labels are manufactured in a continuous or semi-continuous method, so the method may include die cutting a roll of label material to form each extended content label. The step of die cutting individual labels is schematically illustrated in FIG. 4, for example, where the assembly is die cut along the dotted line 60 to produce the individual labels 4, one of which is for example For example, it is shown in Figure 5. As can be appreciated, die cutting can be used to apply cuts, scores, or perforations on the assembly, so it cannot penetrate all the layers of the assembly but can cut less than all the layers of the assembly. For example, die cutting can cut all layers of the assembly 1 except for the release liner 30.

The invention further includes a method of using an extended content label. For example, in one exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-7, the expanded content label 4 includes a release liner 30 covering the adhesive layer 30. A release liner 30 is removed from the label 4 to expose the adhesive layer 20. Subsequently, the expanded content label 4 is attached to the surface 81 of the substrate 80 by contacting the adhesive layer 20 with the surface 81 as shown in FIG. 6. An adhesive bond is formed between the adhesive layer 20 and the surface 81 of the substrate 80.

The non-irradiated area 21 of the adhesive layer 2, which maintains the original adhesiveness before exposure to radiant energy, can form a permanent bond with the substrate 80, as a form of a hinge to the surface layer 10. Can work. The irradiated area 22 of the adhesive layer 20 with reduced adhesion as a result of exposure to radiant energy forms a removable bond with the substrate 80. In this regard, the portion of the surface layer 10 including the irradiation area 22 of the adhesive layer is reduced in adhesion to the substrate, and in order to expose the back side 3 of the expanded content label 4, FIG. 7 It may be pulled or peeled from the substrate 80 as shown in FIG. When this is completed, the expanded content indicia applied on the front side 11 of the surface layer 10 is the back side of the content label 4 that is expanded through the transparent surface layer 10 and the transparent adhesive layer 20 ( It can be seen in 3). In this embodiment, the transparent surface layer and the adhesive layer allow the expanded content indicia to be seen from the back side 3 of the expanded content label 4.

As can be appreciated, the substrate 80 may comprise a base layer of an expanded content label, a product or package of products, or other substrate as desired, such as a bottle or other container. 8 and 9 show another embodiment, wherein the expanded content label 4B is a base layer 13 that attaches the expanded content label 4B to the surface 81 of the substrate 80 and It further includes a base adhesive layer 24. The substrate to which the base adhesive layer is attached may include a package or product, or other type of substrate as desired, such as a bottle or other container. The base adhesive 24 may or may not be sensitive to radiant energy, and may form a permanent bond with the substrate 80. Prior to application to the substrate, the release liner covering the base adhesive 24 may be removed to expose the base adhesive 24. In this embodiment, other constituents of the expanded content label 4B may be the same as those previously described in connection with FIGS. 1 to 5. In particular, the expanded content label 4B has an irradiated area 22 under the opening 41 of the mask and having reduced adhesiveness, and an unirradiated area 21 under the mask 40 and retaining the original adhesiveness. It may include a surface layer 10 having an adhesive layer 20 to include. The floodcoat 50 may be applied to cover the expanded content indicia on the front side 11 of the surface layer 10. The front side indicia can be applied on the floodcoat 50 to be visually recognized at the front side 2B of the expanded content label 4B.

The non-irradiated area 21 of the adhesive layer 20 may form a permanent bond between the surface layer 10 and the base layer 13. Since the irradiation area 22 of the adhesive layer 20 forms a removable bond between the surface layer 10 and the base layer 13, as shown in FIG. 9, in order to expose the rear side 12 of the surface layer 10 Likewise, a portion of the surface layer 10 including the irradiation region 22 may be pulled from the base layer 13. When this is completed, the expanded content indicia originally applied to the front side 11 of the surface layer 10 is visually recognized through the surface layer 10 and the adhesive layer 20. It will also be appreciated that in this embodiment, indicia or printing may be further applied on the base layer 13 on the side of the base layer 13 opposite to the adhesive layer 20. Also, this additional indicia applied to the base layer 13 can be visually recognized when pulling the surface layer 10 from the base layer 13 to provide additional extended content to the label 4B.

For example, in another embodiment shown in Fig. 13, the expanded content label 4C defines a first side 2C and a second side 3C, and defines a reduced adhesive area 23. It includes an adhesive layer 20, an attenuated adhesive region 22, and a region 21 maintaining original adhesiveness. This can be provided by making an extended content label using two different masks 40, 42. For example, the first mask 40 may be used to substantially block radiant energy from irradiating the portion underneath the adhesive layer 20, while the second mask 42 partially blocks radiant energy. (I.e., partially convey). Thereby, the first mask 40 and the second mask 42 define an opening 41 through which radiant energy can be completely transmitted.

When the radiant energy passes through the expanded content label 4C, the radiant energy is substantially blocked by the first mask 40, partially blocked by the second mask 42, and through the opening 41 Can be delivered. In this way, the non-irradiated region 21 of the adhesive layer under the first mask 40 can maintain the original adhesiveness, and the first irradiated region 22 under the opening 41 is completely attenuated to provide adhesiveness. The second irradiation area 23 under the second mask 42 may not have a reduced adhesion because the second mask 42 passes a portion of the radiation energy. Subsequently, the label 4C can be adhered to the substrate by removing the release liner 30 to expose the adhesive layer 20 and bringing the adhesive layer into contact with the substrate. The non-irradiated region 21 of the adhesive layer 20 may form a permanent adhesive bond with the substrate, the first irradiated region 22 may not form an adhesive bond with the substrate, and the second irradiated Region 23 may form a removable bond with the substrate. The portion of the surface layer including the first irradiation area 22 may not be attached to the substrate, but the edge portion of the extended content label 4C including the second irradiation area 23 has decreased adhesiveness and thus A removable bond is formed, and the portion of the surface layer including the first irradiation area 22 and the second irradiation area 23 is peeled off from the substrate to reveal the expanded content. This configuration may be advantageous if the expanded content label is designed to be reclosed to the substrate.

The present invention includes a continuous or semi-continuous method and system for manufacturing an extended content label. Some exemplary methods are shown, for example, in FIGS. 10-12. Some similar features between FIGS. 10-12 have reference numbers that are incremented by adding 200 to each successive drawing.

As shown in FIG. 10, a system 110 for manufacturing an extended content label in a continuous or semi-continuous manner is shown. The system 110 includes an unwind roller 130 having a roll or adhesive assembly web 120. The adhesive assembly web 120 may include an adhesive assembly as previously described with respect to FIG. 1, and a continuous or semi-continuous roll comprising a surface layer, a release liner, and an adhesive layer laminating the surface layer to the release liner. Or it may be in the form of a web.

As shown in FIG. 10, the adhesive assembly web 120 is an unwind roller so that the front side 111 of the adhesive assembly web 120 faces upward and the back side of the adhesive assembly web 120 faces downward. 130). According to the present invention, the orientation of the front side 111 and the back side 112 of the adhesive assembly web 120 is different as desired as the front side 111 faces down and the back side 112 faces up. It will be understood that it can be positioned in a way.

The adhesive assembly web 120 is then transferred to an extended content printing station 140, where the extended content is applied to the front side 111 of the adhesive assembly web 120 as reverse printing. After advancing from the front side printing station 140, the adhesive assembly 150 on which the expanded content is printed enters the masking station 160, where the mask is applied to the front side 111 of the assembly 150. Thereafter, the masked adhesive assembly 170 is supplied to the radiant energy device 180 and irradiated to the assembly 170 to manufacture an irradiated region of the adhesive layer and an unirradiated region of the adhesive layer. The irradiated adhesive assembly 190 is then supplied through a floodcoat applicator 200, where the floodcoat is applied on the front side 111 of the assembly 190. Subsequently, the flood-coated assembly 210 is supplied to the front side printing station 220, where the front side printing is applied on the flood coat and is visually recognized at the front side 111 of the assembly 210 and expanded content label It defines a continuous or semi-continuous roll of the web 230, and then advances to the front side printing station 220 and is wound on the rewind roller 240 as shown.

FIG. 11 illustrates another system and method, wherein the features shown in FIG. 11 have reference numerals increased by 200 compared to similar features described in connection with FIG. 10. However, the system 310 shown in FIG. 11 includes some additional features not described in connection with FIG. 10. More specifically, the system 310 of FIG. 11 includes a die cutting station 440, wherein the expanded content label web 430 advanced from the front printing station 220 is transferred to the die cutting station 440. Enter. At the die cutting station 440, each expanded content label is die cut into a web 430. Thereafter, the die cut web 450 enters the matrix stripping station 460, where the waste matrix 470 is removed from the die cut web 450 to produce each extended content label on the web 480. do.

12 illustrates another system and method, wherein the features shown in FIG. 12 are increased by 200 compared to the similar features described in connection with 11 and by 400 compared to the similar features described in connection with FIG. It has an increased reference number. The system 510 shown in FIG. 12 does not include a masking station as previously shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, but instead employs a stationary mask 560 positioned relative to the radiant energy device 580. Include. As shown, the mask 560 defines an opening 561 through which the expanded content transfers radiant energy to the printed adhesive assembly 550. After irradiation with radiant energy, floodcoat and front side printing are applied as described herein, and the expanded content label web 630 is rewinded onto the rewind roller 640. In this embodiment, the stationary mask 560 is positioned relative to the radiant energy device 580, thereby eliminating the need for application of the mask of the adhesive assembly at the masking station.

As can be appreciated, for the system shown in FIGS. 10-12 the front side and back side of the adhesive assembly web may be reversed with respect to the radiant energy source and other components of the system. It will be appreciated that in these alternative embodiments, the release liner may be transparent to radiant energy, and the mask may be applied to the release liner or placed between the release liner and the radiant energy source. In this way, the radiant energy is transmitted through the opening of the mask, and after passing through the transparent release liner, the adhesive layer is irradiated.

In a further aspect, the present invention includes a specific method of using a mask that is not applied directly to the laminate. In general, the method is to place a radiation source inside a substantially transparent roller with an opaque mask pattern on the roller. The laminate is passed through a roller and is selectively exposed through a mask. Since the mask is rolled with the moving stack, this has the advantage of allowing a pattern that cannot be created using the fixed position mask shown in FIG. 12.

The present invention further provides specific components and/or equipment for selectively non-sticking of adhesive regions within a layered assembly. Figure 16 schematically shows a non-sticking roller 900 according to the present invention. The roller 900 is in the form of a cylinder and defines an outer circumferential surface 920 in contact with the layered assembly or other material to be selectively irradiated with radiant energy. The roller 900 is configured to rotate about the rotation shaft 910. Further, the roller 900 includes a radiant energy source 940 such as an emitter of UV light. In addition, roller 900 defines one or more passage regions or portions 930 along outer circumferential surface 920 that allow or permit passage of radiant energy from source 940 to the outside of roll 900. Thus, upon contact or proper placement of the non-sticking layered assembly along the roll, radiant energy, such as UV light from the source 940, is transferred to the layered assembly through a select portion of the roller, i.e., the passage area 930, which By doing so, it is possible to reach a specific area of the adhesive in the layered assembly. It will be appreciated that the present invention encompasses various patterns, shapes, arrangements, and/or configurations for the passage area 930. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to a specific pattern of the passage area 930 shown in FIG. 16.

In certain aspects of the invention, and when using roller 900 or similar components, drive controls or other control devices are provided such that the outer surface of the roller rotates in a register control in a repeated pattern on a layered assembly, for example a label. It may be desirable to provide. Insertion controls known in the art may be used. Typically, the embodiments described herein do not typically require focusing or amplification of the irradiated radiant energy, but a focusing and/or amplification device is included in the present invention.

Non-sticking rollers, such as roller 900, may include special features such as the use of a honeycomb lattice surface. The outer roll surface may be covered with a flex plate or foil. For example, it is contemplated that a template containing artwork or other design(s) could be printed or otherwise formed and positioned against the roll to constitute the outer roll major surface. The diameter of the roll can be selected to match a particular print or die size or number of repetitions of the label.

In addition, the present invention includes labels of various configurations having various arrangements and locations of (i) reduced adhesion, (ii) fully attenuated adhesive, and (iii) unreduced or unattenuated adhesive portions. It will be understood. That is, the invention is not limited to any representative embodiments described or shown herein.

A number of other advantages will become apparent due to the future application and development of this method.

All patents, published applications, and documents mentioned in this specification are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

As noted above, the present invention addresses a number of problems associated with previous methods, systems and/or devices. However, various changes in the arrangement, materials, and details of the components described and illustrated herein to illustrate the nature of the present invention, as indicated in the appended claims, do not denote the principles and scope of the claims of the present invention. It will be appreciated that this can be done by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing.

Claims (86)

Providing a laminated adhesive assembly comprising a transparent surface layer defining a front side and a back side facing an opposite direction, a release liner, and an adhesive layer disposed between the back side of the surface layer and the release liner;
Applying indicia to the front side of the surface layer;
Applying a mask to cover a portion of the adhesive layer; And
A method of manufacturing an extended content adhesive assembly having at least one reduced adhesive area comprising irradiating the adhesive assembly with radiant energy:
The mask substantially blocks exposure of a portion of the adhesive layer to the radiant energy,
Radiation energy not blocked by the mask is irradiated to the area of the adhesive layer to reduce adhesion of the irradiated area of the adhesive layer,
The indicia is visually recognized through the adhesive layer on the back side of the surface layer and defines the expanded content,
The method further comprises a step of directly applying a floodcoat to the front side of the surface layer after irradiation to cover the indicia, wherein the indicia is not visible through the floodcoat, and
Applying an additional indicia on the floodcoat, wherein the additional indicia is not visible from the back side of the surface layer. The method of claim 1,
The method in which the step of applying the mask is done after the indicia is applied. ◈ Claim 3 was abandoned upon payment of the set registration fee. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The indicia comprises reverse printing. ◈ Claim 4 was abandoned upon payment of the set registration fee. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The indicia is applied only on the irradiated area of the adhesive layer. ◈ Claim 5 was abandoned upon payment of the set registration fee. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The method of the adhesive layer comprising an effective amount of a functionalized emulsion polymer. ◈ Claim 6 was abandoned upon payment of the set registration fee. The method of claim 5,
The functionalized emulsion polymer is prepared by treating an emulsion polymer having a carboxylic acid functional monomer with at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer comprising an epoxy group in the presence of a suitable catalyst. ◈ Claim 7 was abandoned upon payment of the set registration fee. The method of claim 6,
The carboxylic acid functionalized monomer is acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, citraconic acid, acrylicoxypropionic acid, maleic acid, methacryloxyisopropyl acid phthalate, methacryloxyethyl acid phthalate, acryloxyisopropyl acid phthalate , Acrylic oxyethyl acid phthalate, and a method selected from the group consisting of combinations thereof. ◈ Claim 8 was abandoned upon payment of the set registration fee. The method of claim 6,
The ethylenically unsaturated monomer containing the epoxy group is composed of glycidyl methacrylate, glycidyl acrylate, acrylic epoxidized soybean oil, allyl glycidyl ether, 3,4-epoxycyclohexyl methyl methacrylate, and combinations thereof. How to be chosen from the county. ◈ Claim 9 was abandoned upon payment of the set registration fee. The method of claim 6,
The catalyst is selected from the group consisting of tetrabutyl ammonium hydroxide, methyl tributyl ammonium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, tetrabutyl ammonium chloride, methyltributyl ammonium chloride, triphenyl phosphine, chromium acetate, and combinations thereof. Way. ◈ Claim 10 was abandoned upon payment of the set registration fee. The method of claim 5,
The adhesive layer further comprises an ultraviolet photoinitiator. ◈ Claim 11 was abandoned upon payment of the set registration fee. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The adhesiveness of the irradiated area of the adhesive layer is reduced by at least 30% compared to the adhesiveness before irradiation with radiant energy, and the adhesiveness is "Test Methods for Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Tapes" of the Pressure Sensitive Tape Council, PSTC- Method as measured by the 101 method. ◈ Claim 12 was abandoned upon payment of the set registration fee. The method of claim 11,
The adhesiveness of the irradiated area of the adhesive layer is reduced by at least 50% compared to the adhesiveness before irradiation with radiant energy, and the adhesiveness is "Test Methods for Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Tapes" of the Pressure Sensitive Tape Council, PSTC- Method as measured by the 101 method. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The portion of the adhesive layer not exposed to the radiant energy substantially maintains the same adhesion as compared to before irradiating the adhesive assembly with radiant energy. As a method of providing extended content on a label,
The above method,
A transparent surface layer defining a front side and a back side facing the opposite direction, wherein the front side of the surface layer is a surface layer facing the front side of the label,
A radiation energy-sensitive adhesive layer disposed on the rear side of the surface layer, wherein the adhesive is configured to decrease adhesiveness when exposed to a sufficient amount of radiation energy, and
Providing a laminated adhesive label defining a front side and a back side, comprising a release liner laminated on the back side of the surface layer by the adhesive;
Applying indicia to the front side of the surface layer;
Covering a portion of the adhesive layer with a mask; And
Including the step of irradiating the adhesive label with radiant energy,
The mask provides an unirradiated area of the adhesive layer by substantially blocking radiant energy from reaching the unirradiated area,
Radiation energy not substantially blocked by the mask exposes the irradiated area to a sufficient amount of radiant energy to reduce adhesion of the irradiated area, thereby providing an irradiated area of the adhesive layer,
The indicia is applied on the irradiated area of the adhesive layer, and the indicia is visually recognized on the back side of the surface layer to provide expanded content on the label,
The method further comprises a step of directly applying a floodcoat to the front side of the surface layer after irradiation to cover the indicia, wherein the indicia is not visible through the floodcoat at the front side of the label, Also
Applying an additional indicia on the floodcoat, wherein the additional indicia is visible on the front side of the label and not visible on the back side of the label. The method of claim 14,
The mask is applied to the front side of the surface layer, and the radiation energy is directed to the adhesive layer through the surface layer. The method of claim 14 or 15,
The adhesiveness of the non-irradiated area is substantially the same as that of the area before irradiation. The method of claim 14 or 15,
Upon removal of the release liner, the irradiated area is configured to form a removable adhesive bond with an associated substrate. The method of claim 14 or 15,
When the release liner is removed or the irradiated area is peeled off from the related substrate, the indicia is visually recognized on the back side of the label. The method of claim 14 or 15,
After the indicia is applied, the step of covering the adhesive layer with a mask is performed. ◈ Claim 20 was waived upon payment of the set registration fee. The method of claim 14 or 15,
The indicia comprises reverse printing. ◈ Claim 21 was abandoned upon payment of the set registration fee. The method of claim 14 or 15,
The indicia is applied only on the irradiated area of the adhesive layer. ◈ Claim 22 was abandoned upon payment of the set registration fee. The method of claim 14 or 15,
The method of the adhesive layer comprising an effective amount of a functionalized emulsion polymer. ◈ Claim 23 was abandoned upon payment of the set registration fee. The method of claim 22,
The functionalized emulsion polymer is prepared by treating an emulsion polymer having a carboxylic acid functional monomer with at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer comprising an epoxy group in the presence of a suitable catalyst. ◈ Claim 24 has been abandoned upon payment of the set registration fee. The method of claim 23,
The carboxylic acid functionalized monomer is acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, citraconic acid, acrylicoxypropionic acid, maleic acid, methacryloxyisopropyl acid phthalate, methacryloxyethyl acid phthalate, acryloxyisopropyl acid phthalate , Acrylic oxyethyl acid phthalate, and a method selected from the group consisting of combinations thereof. ◈Claim 25 was abandoned upon payment of the set registration fee.◈ The method of claim 23,
The ethylenically unsaturated monomer containing the epoxy group is composed of glycidyl methacrylate, glycidyl acrylate, acrylic epoxidized soybean oil, allyl glycidyl ether, 3,4-epoxycyclohexyl methyl methacrylate, and combinations thereof. How to be chosen from the county. ◈ Claim 26 has been abandoned upon payment of the set registration fee. The method of claim 23,
The catalyst is selected from the group consisting of tetrabutyl ammonium hydroxide, methyl tributyl ammonium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, tetrabutyl ammonium chloride, methyltributyl ammonium chloride, triphenyl phosphine, chromium acetate, and combinations thereof. Way. ◈ Claim 27 was abandoned upon payment of the setup registration fee. The method of claim 22,
The adhesive layer further comprises an ultraviolet photoinitiator. ◈ Claim 28 was waived upon payment of the set registration fee. The method of claim 14 or 15,
The adhesiveness of the irradiated area of the adhesive layer is reduced by at least 30% compared to before irradiation with radiant energy, and the adhesiveness is "Test Methods for Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Tapes" of the Pressure Sensitive Tape Council, the PSTC-101 method of the 15th edition. Method measured by. ◈ Claim 29 was waived upon payment of the set registration fee. The method of claim 28,
The adhesiveness of the irradiated area of the adhesive layer is reduced by at least 50% compared to before irradiation with radiant energy, and the adhesiveness is "Test Methods for Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Tapes" of the Pressure Sensitive Tape Council, the PSTC-101 method of the 15th edition. Method measured by. ◈ Claim 30 was waived upon payment of the set registration fee. The method of claim 14 or 15,
The irradiation area of the adhesive layer includes an attenuated adhesive portion and a reduced adhesive portion. As a method of providing extended content on a substrate,
The above method,
Providing a substrate;
Providing a laminated adhesive label defining a front side and a back side,
The label is,
Transparent surface layer,
A release layer, and
An adhesive layer for laminating the surface layer on the release layer, comprising an adhesive layer having reduced adhesiveness upon sufficient exposure to radiant energy;
Applying indicia to the surface layer, wherein the indicia is visually recognized through the surface layer to define the expanded content;
Applying a mask to cover a portion of the adhesive layer;
Exposing the label to radiant energy such that radiant energy not blocked by the mask is irradiated to the adhesive to define an irradiation area of the adhesive layer in which adhesion is reduced;
Directly applying a floodcoat to the front side of the surface layer after irradiation to cover the indicia, wherein the indicia is not visible through the floodcoat at the front side of the label;
Applying an additional indicia on the floodcoat, wherein the additional indicia is visible on the front side of the label and not visible on the back side of the label;
Exposing the adhesive layer by removing the release layer from the label; And
Attaching the label to the substrate by contacting the adhesive layer with the surface of the substrate,
The reduced adhesion of the irradiated area of the adhesive layer is configured such that a portion of the surface layer including the irradiated area is removed from the substrate to expose the expanded content. The method of claim 31,
The adhesiveness of the non-irradiated area of the adhesive layer is substantially the same as that of the area before irradiation. The method of claim 31 or 32,
The indicia comprises reverse printing. The method of claim 31 or 32,
The indicia is applied only on the irradiated area of the adhesive layer. ◈ Claim 35 was abandoned upon payment of the set registration fee. The method of claim 31 or 32,
The method of the adhesive layer comprising an effective amount of a functionalized emulsion polymer. ◈ Claim 36 was abandoned upon payment of the set registration fee. The method of claim 35,
The functionalized emulsion polymer is prepared by treating an emulsion polymer having a carboxylic acid functional monomer with at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer comprising an epoxy group in the presence of a suitable catalyst. ◈ Claim 37 was abandoned upon payment of the set registration fee. The method of claim 36,
The carboxylic acid functionalized monomer is acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, citraconic acid, acrylicoxypropionic acid, maleic acid, methacryloxyisopropyl acid phthalate, methacryloxyethyl acid phthalate, acryloxyisopropyl acid phthalate , Acrylic oxyethyl acid phthalate, and a method selected from the group consisting of combinations thereof. ◈ Claim 38 was abandoned upon payment of the set registration fee. The method of claim 36,
The ethylenically unsaturated monomer containing the epoxy group is composed of glycidyl methacrylate, glycidyl acrylate, acrylic epoxidized soybean oil, allyl glycidyl ether, 3,4-epoxycyclohexyl methyl methacrylate, and combinations thereof. How to be chosen from the county. ◈ Claim 39 was waived upon payment of the set registration fee. The method of claim 36,
The catalyst is selected from the group consisting of tetrabutyl ammonium hydroxide, methyl tributyl ammonium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, tetrabutyl ammonium chloride, methyltributyl ammonium chloride, triphenyl phosphine, chromium acetate, and combinations thereof. Way. ◈Claim 40 was abandoned upon payment of the set registration fee.◈ The method of claim 35,
The adhesive layer further comprises an ultraviolet photoinitiator. The method of claim 31 or 32,
The adhesiveness of the irradiated area of the adhesive layer is reduced by at least 30% compared to before irradiation with radiant energy, and the adhesiveness is "Test Methods for Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Tapes" of the Pressure Sensitive Tape Council, the PSTC-101 method of the 15th edition. Method measured by. ◈ Claim 42 was abandoned upon payment of the set registration fee. The method of claim 41,
The adhesiveness of the irradiated area of the adhesive layer is reduced by at least 50% compared to before irradiation with radiant energy, and the adhesiveness is "Test Methods for Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Tapes" of the Pressure Sensitive Tape Council, the PSTC-101 method of the 15th edition. Method measured by. The method of claim 31 or 32,
The irradiation area of the adhesive layer includes an attenuated adhesive portion and a reduced adhesive portion. A transparent surface layer defining the front side and the back side facing the opposite direction;
Release liner;
An adhesive layer disposed between the back side of the surface layer and the release liner, wherein upon removal of the release liner, a reduced adhesive area configured to form a removable bond with the related substrate, and upon removal of the release liner, with the related substrate An adhesive layer comprising an unreduced adhesive region configured to form a permanent bond;
An indicia on the entire surface of the surface layer, which is visually recognized through the surface layer on the back surface of the surface layer and defines expanded content;
A flood coat applied directly to the entire surface of the surface layer to cover the expanded content; And
As an expanded content adhesive assembly configured to be attached to an associated substrate comprising an additional indicia which is not visible on the back side of the surface layer as an additional indicia disposed on the floodcoat:
And upon bonding of the adhesive layer to the associated substrate, a portion of the assembly including the reduced adhesive region is peeled from the associated substrate to reveal expanded content. The method of claim 44,
The assembly of the adhesive layer comprising a radiation energy sensitive adhesive configured to decrease adhesion upon exposure to a sufficient amount of radiation energy. The method of claim 44 or 45,
The indicia assembly comprising reverse printing. The method of claim 44 or 45,
The indicia is only present on the area of reduced adhesion. The method of claim 44 or 45,
The assembly of the adhesive layer comprising an effective amount of a functionalized emulsion polymer. The method of claim 48,
The functionalized emulsion polymer is an assembly prepared by treating an emulsion polymer having a carboxylic acid functional monomer with at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer comprising an epoxy group in the presence of a suitable catalyst. The method of claim 49,
The carboxylic acid functionalized monomer is acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, citraconic acid, acrylicoxypropionic acid, maleic acid, methacryloxyisopropyl acid phthalate, methacryloxyethyl acid phthalate, acryloxyisopropyl acid phthalate , An assembly selected from the group consisting of acrylic oxyethyl acid phthalate, and combinations thereof. The method of claim 49,
The ethylenically unsaturated monomer containing the epoxy group is composed of glycidyl methacrylate, glycidyl acrylate, acrylic epoxidized soybean oil, allyl glycidyl ether, 3,4-epoxycyclohexyl methyl methacrylate, and combinations thereof. Assembly selected from the group. The method of claim 49,
The catalyst is selected from the group consisting of tetrabutyl ammonium hydroxide, methyl tributyl ammonium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, tetrabutyl ammonium chloride, methyltributyl ammonium chloride, triphenyl phosphine, chromium acetate, and combinations thereof. assembly. The method of claim 48,
The adhesive layer assembly further comprises an ultraviolet photoinitiator. The method of claim 44 or 45,
The adhesion of the reduced adhesive area is at least 30% less than the adhesion of the non-reduced adhesive area, and the adhesion is "Test Methods for Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Tapes" of the Pressure Sensitive Tape Council, PSTC-101 of the 15th edition. Assembly measured by the method. ◈Claim 55 was abandoned upon payment of the set registration fee.◈ The method of claim 54,
The adhesion of the reduced adhesive area is at least 50% less than the adhesion of the non-reduced adhesive area, and the adhesion is "Test Methods for Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Tapes" of the Pressure Sensitive Tape Council, PSTC-101 of the 15th edition. Assembly measured by the method. A container defining an outer surface, a labeled container comprising a layered adhesive assembly disposed on and in contact with the outer surface of the container:
The layered adhesive assembly,
A transparent surface layer defining a front side and a rear side, wherein a front side of the surface layer faces a front side of the assembly;
An adhesive layer disposed on the back side of the surface layer, the reduced adhesive area configured to form a removable bond with the outer surface of the container, and a non-reduced adhesion configured to form a permanent bond with the outer surface of the container An adhesive layer including a sexual region;
An indicia located on the front side of the surface layer and being visually recognized on the back side of the surface layer to define expanded content on the label;
A flood coat applied directly to the front side of the surface layer covering the indicia; And
As an additional indicia disposed on the floodcoat, including an additional indicia that is not visible from the back side of the surface layer,
A container configured to peel off a portion of the assembly including the reduced adhesion area to reveal the expanded content. The method of claim 56,
A container comprising a radiant energy sensitive adhesive, wherein the adhesive layer is configured to decrease adhesion upon exposure to a sufficient amount of radiant energy. The method of claim 56 or 57,
The indicia is a container comprising reverse printing. The method of claim 56 or 57,
The container in which the indicia is present only on the area of reduced adhesion. ◈Claim 60 was abandoned upon payment of the set registration fee.◈ The method of claim 56 or 57,
A container in which the adhesive layer comprises an effective amount of a functionalized emulsion polymer. ◈Claim 61 was abandoned upon payment of the set registration fee. The method of claim 60,
The functionalized emulsion polymer is prepared by treating an emulsion polymer having a carboxylic acid functional monomer with at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer comprising an epoxy group in the presence of a suitable catalyst. ◈ Claim 62 was abandoned upon payment of the set registration fee. The method of claim 61,
The carboxylic acid functionalized monomer is acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, citraconic acid, acrylicoxypropionic acid, maleic acid, methacryloxyisopropyl acid phthalate, methacryloxyethyl acid phthalate, acryloxyisopropyl acid phthalate , Acrylic oxyethyl acid phthalate, and a container selected from the group consisting of a combination thereof. ◈Claim 63 was abandoned upon payment of the set registration fee.◈ The method of claim 61,
The ethylenically unsaturated monomer containing the epoxy group is composed of glycidyl methacrylate, glycidyl acrylate, acrylic epoxidized soybean oil, allyl glycidyl ether, 3,4-epoxycyclohexyl methyl methacrylate, and combinations thereof. Courage chosen from the military. ◈Claim 64 was abandoned upon payment of the set registration fee.◈ The method of claim 61,
The catalyst is selected from the group consisting of tetrabutyl ammonium hydroxide, methyl tributyl ammonium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, tetrabutyl ammonium chloride, methyltributyl ammonium chloride, triphenyl phosphine, chromium acetate, and combinations thereof. Vessel. ◈Claim 65 was abandoned upon payment of the set registration fee.◈ The method of claim 60,
The adhesive layer is a container further comprising an ultraviolet photoinitiator. The method of claim 56 or 57,
The adhesion of the reduced adhesive area is at least 30% less than the adhesion of the non-reduced adhesive area, and the adhesion is "Test Methods for Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Tapes" of the Pressure Sensitive Tape Council, PSTC-101 of the 15th edition. Containers measured by the method. ◈ Claim 67 was abandoned upon payment of the set registration fee. The method of claim 66,
The adhesion of the reduced adhesive area is at least 50% less than the adhesion of the non-reduced adhesive area, and the adhesion is "Test Methods for Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Tapes" of the Pressure Sensitive Tape Council, PSTC-101 of the 15th edition. Containers measured by the method. The method of claim 56 or 57,
Wherein the reduced adhesive region comprises a reduced adhesive region. delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete

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